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sevierville, Tn

What nutrient make the leafs curl. I gave mine some weak ferts and the leaves started to curl. when it was in a pot they curled completely around themselves.(like one of those slap bracelets the kids have) This time about 2 inches of rain came and i guess washed some of the ferts away cause they uncurled. I had that happen last year too so i would like to know whats doing it. Is is too much N, or P, or K or a combo? Thanks

5/19/2014 6:50:29 AM

Allentown, PA

leaf curl, is a physiologic distortion that may develop with periods of cool, rainy weather.

During times with cool, moist conditions, leaves may roll upward and become leathery in an effort to repel this excessive moisture.

Curling tomato leaves may also be triggered by just the opposite—uneven watering, high temperatures, and dry spells. Leaves will curl upward to conserve water but they do not take on the leathery-like appearance. Plum and paste varieties are most commonly affected.

Also excessive amounts of nitrogen can cause this to occur.

It is my opinion that the fertilizer is not the issue in this case, the large volume of rain stressing the plants is the issue.

5/19/2014 7:11:48 AM

Allentown, PA

Addendum; This occurs with my plants every season.

We cannot control the amount of moisture the tomatoes receive via rainfall outside of having them in a greenhouse.

We can, however control the amount of water we ourselves provide the plants along with carefully monitoring and recording the amount of fertilizer we use on them.

I keep a gardening journal each season where I write down each day what I'm doing.

Strict adherence to a watering and fertilizer schedule will allow you to control for those variables that inevitably arise like receiving a large amount of rain.

For example it rained approx two inches here three days ago. I haven't done anything to my plants since that time in order to not stress them. Today I am bottom feeding fertilizer with tomorrow being a watering day since this mornings forecast calls for mostly dry conditions.

I hope this helps. :O)

5/19/2014 7:22:38 AM

sevierville, Tn

Thanks, it may be the problem, if it hapens again, i'll take a picture.

5/19/2014 9:56:05 AM

sevierville, Tn

i'll also watch the amount of N i give the plant too ! ;)

5/19/2014 9:56:51 AM

Central Minnesota

I seem to get this every year until my plants hit the ground. Leaf curl and slightly purple. Cold wet soil is usually the issue which prevent certain nutrients from being absorbed. Magnesium and Phosphorus is usually where I am deficient but adding fertilizer seems to not make it any better. I usually just live with it until the plants hit the ground and fix themselves.

5/19/2014 11:06:07 AM

Allentown, PA

The plants ability to absorb nutrients seems to be minimally affected by leaf curl so in real world terms the plant's ability to add weight to a potential giant should not be affected really at all. If I get it which in all likelihood I will I just continue my regularly scheduled applications of fertilizers and adjust my watering schedule to the situation. All should be just fine. :O)

5/19/2014 11:55:20 AM

Corbin, KY

Dunkel's Turbo will help

5/19/2014 4:14:28 PM

sevierville, Tn

i'm just looking for the best growth possible without overdoing it. i just don't know yet what that is as i don't have much experence with tomatoes. they seem to need less then melons & pumpkins. or less of something?????

5/20/2014 9:21:22 AM

Allentown, PA

In my opinion your plants were stressed from either an overabundance of moisture which you stated occurred in your first post and or you also fed your still young seedlings a full strength application of fertilizer thus resulting in your plants curling their leaves.

Like I said before you should be fine. Cut back on the moisture if you can as well as the fertilizer until the plants become a bit older.

5/20/2014 11:11:24 AM

sevierville, Tn

Thanks again PA_J. BTW my plant isn't that small, probally 2.5 feet tall & 2 feet wide :) i got started early indoors. its been in the garden since the end of april.

5/20/2014 12:33:33 PM

Central Minnesota

Are the leaves and stems curling down? Just leaves curling down or leaves curling up?

5/20/2014 12:48:44 PM

Central Minnesota

I sent you a link to a resource I use.

5/20/2014 12:55:16 PM

Allentown, PA

Your welcome. I think it was stressed and reacted accordingly. Your plant still love you though and will be just fine. :O)

5/20/2014 6:00:58 PM

sevierville, Tn

the whole leaf branch curles into a circle, like a birthday noisemaker that you blow and it unfurles. the leafs also curl up.

5/20/2014 7:31:13 PM

Mnt.pleasant ,tennessee

All over the plant or just at bottom

5/20/2014 11:03:36 PM

sevierville, Tn

the whole plant but especially the new growth.

5/20/2014 11:09:59 PM

SW Ohio

Did you use manure in your tomato patch? How about straw mulch?

Clopyralid and Aminopyralid have a residual that tomatoes in particular are sensitive to and cause the symptoms you are describing (party favor stems and curling leaves,symptoms are worse after a rain or watering.

The Mosiac viruses can also cause your symptoms. ToMV, CMV, will cause the severely rolling leaves and stems. Have you seen any aphids or thrips?

Physiological Leaf Roll will cause your leaves to roll UP (you can see the undersides). It usually affects the lower leaves and the new growth appears fine.

5/21/2014 5:55:02 AM

Mnt.pleasant ,tennessee

OK the bottoms naturally shed off so just checking.no expert but i dont like chemical N on tomatoes seems to curl up like you say.I usually use homebrew fish.

5/21/2014 11:16:11 PM

France

Chris, I personally grow tomatoes under polytunnel. When it gets really hot inside ( over 40°C for severals days), the leaves roll. Probably a stress reaction in my case.
But I 'd say too much N in your case.

Is it a 5.11 ?

5/23/2014 8:56:08 PM

sevierville, Tn

its the 4.31 Daho that got planted. its growing well right now. I believe its the N too. I just got to keep it on a diet ! LOL

5/24/2014 7:53:45 AM

sevierville, Tn

if it happens again, i'll post a picture, but i'm trying hard not to over do it. thanks for all the help. Scott that guide was great. Julia, i'm trying to follow your advice, thanks. Glad the hail misssed you ! WOW

5/24/2014 1:48:52 PM

Allentown, PA

Your welcome. Yes!!! I'm happy the hail missed us as well!!

It was BAAAADDDD!!!!

5/24/2014 7:34:40 PM